MiR-655-3p inhibits growth and invasiveness of trophoblasts via targeting PBX3 and thus deteriorates preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory effects of microRNA-655-3p (miR-655-3p) on growth and invasiveness of trophoblasts to influence the development of preeclampsia (PE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Relative levels of miR-655-3p and PBX3 in 24 PE pregnant women and 24 healthy ones were examined. Then, the regulatory effects of miR-655-3p and PBX3 on viability and invasiveness in HTR-8/SVneo cells were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assay, respectively. Next, the expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes were determined. Finally. the interaction between miR-655-3p and PBX3 was tested by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: MiR-655-3p was upregulated in placental tissues of PE pregnant women than those of healthy ones. The overexpression of miR655-3p suppressed viability and invasiveness. and induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Besides, PBX3 was the target gene binding to miR-655-3p, and more importantly, the overexpression of PBX3 partially reversed the regulatory effects of miR-655-3p on viability and invasiveness in HTR-8/SVneo cells. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-655-3p is involved in the development of PE by regulating biological features of trophoblasts by targeting PBX3.